Brussels, 03/10/2013 (Agence Europe) - During a visit to the European Parliament on Wednesday 2 October, the president of the Greek far left movement Syriza, Alexis Tsipras, warned of a “human catastrophe” that is looming if the eurozone does not radically alter its stance vis-à-vis countries in receipt of financial aid.
He explained that citizens were angry and recent developments in Greece demonstrated that a rise in extremism was a real threat. He described Greek far right organisation Golden Dawn as a bunch of thugs.
Now that the German elections are over, he said, it is time to tell citizens the truth: “Austerity is obviously not the solution” and the structural adjustment programme implemented in Greece has failed to achieve its economic and social targets.
The European Commission has repeatedly stressed the main problem in Greece is gaps in implementing the aid programme. In its most recent assessments, it welcomes the determination of the present government to stick to the terms of the programme despite delays, such as in the privatisation drive.
Tsipras criticised the troika of lenders (the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund) as being an unelected and unsupervised body that forces austerity on citizens who have no say in the course of events. Nikos Chountis (GUE/NGL, Greece) made similar comments, pointing out that the European Parliament was the only elected institution, but nobody listens to what it has to say on the “memorandum” between the struggling countries and their lenders.
Tsipras does not paint a rosy picture, but he sees the European elections as an opportunity to turn away from austerity and work together. German GUE/NGL leader at the Parliament Gabi Zimmer recommended focussing on the need for member states to show solidarity with each other, commenting on Greece: “While people fight, it is absurd to have a discussion on paying back debt; the EU is responsible for creating conditions to guarantee people can live in dignity.” Tsipras had a meeting with EU Social Affairs Commissioner, Laszlo Andor, and said that the Commissioner had felt that a debt write-off was needed to make it viable. Euro Commissioner Olli Rehn had also offered to meet him but timetable clashes did not allow them to meet.
On the Greek Presidency of the Council of the EU, due to start on 1 January 2014, Tsipras said: “Expectations aren't that high because the Greek government is not prepared for such a huge event, the government is unstable and there could be elections at any time.”
Samaras fears eurozone is procrastinating over Greek debt reduction. In Washington on Tuesday 1 October, the Greek prime minister, Antonis Samaras, warned in connection with the Greek debt burden: “What is important to me is not to procrastinate too much for a solution.” Asked about his statement, the European Commission refused to comment.
In order for Greece's partners to decide to lift some of the debt burden the country must make a primary budget surplus in 2013, which will need to be formally endorsed by the EU's statistical office, Eurostat, in the spring of 2014. “As to how we're going to lower the debt, that's another issue,” said the prime minister. Some commentators say that Europe will start talking about this now that the German elections are behind us. EFSF director general Klaus Regling says that it might be possible to extend the repayment deadlines on the loans and reduce the interest rates on the loans. In Washington, Samaras had a meeting with the IMF director general, Christine Lagarde, who encouraged him to pursue structural and institutional reforms. (EL/transl.fl)